Mining classifier assembly

Abstract

A mining classifier assembly includes a round main body member with a flat bottom portion, preferably adapted to be received into the top portion of a round bucket or similar container, including a series of holes in the bottom portion thereof. The main body member may be placed into the top of a bucket that contains water. A load of dirt, containing rocks, minerals, gemstones, and the like, may be loaded into the main body member so that the water at least partially covers the load, and an operator may agitate the particulate within the water, so that the particulate small enough to fall through the holes in the main body member may fall through, while the larger particulate remains within the main body member. Additionally, a series of trays having a mesh bottom may be inserted into the main body member, to catch and separate smaller particulate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mining classifier assembly comprising:
 a main body member having a generally flat bottom portion and an enclosure extending upwardly from said bottom portion, said enclosure having a mouth at an upper periphery of said enclosure; 
 said bottom portion defining a series of holes of similar size and shape therethrough; 
 said main body member adapted to be removably received in the mouth of a container that is capable of holding water; 
 a first tray having a shape that corresponds with a shape of said main body member, said tray including a frame member, and having a substantially flat mesh portion attached to an inner periphery of said frame member, wherein said mesh defines a series of holes; 
 wherein said first tray is adapted to be removably received within said main body member in a generally horizontal orientation; 
 including tray removal tool comprising a round frame member and a series of fingers evenly spaced about said round frame member, said fingers projecting axially away from said round frame member; and 
 wherein said fingers correspond with a series of holes disposed about a periphery of said bottom portion of said main body member so that said tray removal tool may be positioned below said main body member and said fingers may pass through said corresponding holes in order to engage and apply pressure to a bottom portion of said first tray when said first tray is disposed within said main body member, so that said tray may be removed from said main body member. 
 
     
     
       2. The mining classifier assembly set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a series of horizontally disposed lips are positioned about an inner periphery of said enclosure for supporting said tray, when said first tray is positioned within said main body member. 
     
     
       3. The mining classifier assembly set forth in  claim 1 , further including a second tray, wherein said second tray has a shape that corresponds with a shape of said main body member, said second tray including a frame member, and having a substantially flat mesh portion attached to an inner periphery of said frame member, wherein said mesh of said second tray defines holes of a different size than the holes defined by the mesh of said first tray. 
     
     
       4. The mining classifier set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said frames of said first tray and said second tray are color coded in order to visually distinguish said first tray from said second tray. 
     
     
       5. The mining classifier set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first tray frame comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, with said mesh sandwiched therebetween. 
     
     
       6. The mining classifier set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said lower portion of said first tray frame includes a cross-brace support.